Tue Apr 29 01:00:00 UTC 2025: **International Team Unlocks Genetic Key to Higher-Yielding Peanuts**

**Guwahati, India – April 29, 2025** – An international team of researchers has made a breakthrough in peanut genetics that could significantly boost global food security. A study published in *Nature Genetics* details the discovery of key genetic variations linked to larger, heavier peanut seeds, a crucial factor in increasing crop yields.

The research, involving 19 scientists from Australia and China, utilized a comprehensive pan-genome analysis of 269 peanut accessions, including wild and cultivated varieties. This analysis revealed specific structural variations, particularly the deletion of the AhARF2-2 gene, which contributes to increased seed size. The study highlights the importance of understanding structural variations, along with single-nucleotide polymorphisms and epigenetic differences, in improving crop yields.

Researchers from Murdoch University in Australia, along with colleagues from Chinese universities, identified 1,335 domestication-related structural variations and 190 linked to seed size or weight. The findings suggest that these variations can impact gene expression and ultimately affect seed size and weight.

Professor Rajeev K. Varshney of Murdoch University emphasized the significance of the study, stating that it provides a much-needed comprehensive resource for crop breeding efforts and offers insights applicable to other economically important crops like cotton and rapeseed. The expanded understanding of the genetic mechanisms controlling seed size and weight has the potential to significantly improve peanut yields and contribute to global food security. The newly developed peanut pan-genome will serve as a valuable tool for future research and breeding programs.

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